Self-Assembling Robot Cubes Form Various Structures

Swarms of simple, interacting robots have the potential to unlock stealthy abilities for accomplishing complex tasks. Getting these robots to achieve a true hive-like mind of coordination has proved to be a challenge. To solve the problem, self-assembling robotic cubes were developed that can climb over and around one another, leap through the air, and roll across the ground. The robots can “communicate” with each other using a barcode-like system on each face of the block that allows the modules to identify each other. The autonomous fleet of 16 blocks can accomplish simple tasks or behaviors such as forming a line, following arrows, or tracking light.